Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that starting January 2028, new PlayStation 5 games will no longer be released on physical discs, shifting instead to digital-only distribution. Some retail boxed versions may even contain only download codes. This decision has prompted many players to recall a classic promotional video from 2013, which Sony used to famously jab at the Xbox One during the PS4's unveiling. 
Back then, Microsoft's Xbox One policies—including digital licensing, restrictions on used games, and mandatory online authentication—sparked widespread controversy. In response, Sony released a mere 21-second video featuring former PlayStation executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes demonstrating how to share games on the PS4.
In the video, Yoshida held a game box and stated, "This is how you share games on PS4." He then handed the game to Boyes, who replied, "Thanks."
The short clip was widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the console wars, directly emphasizing that PlayStation would retain the familiar physical disc format, allowing for used game sales and lending among friends. Shuhei Yoshida later recalled that it was "really interesting," explaining that while they weren't trying to mock Xbox, Microsoft had announced its DRM and system policies before Sony had discussed the PS4. He added that because many people and media outlets were asking what Sony would do, they tried to convey their plans in a very brief format.
Now, 13 years later, PlayStation is officially embracing a disc-less future. With the PS3 and PS Vita digital storefronts also slated for closure, many speculate that the upcoming PS6 might not even feature a disc drive. The era of simply handing a game disc to a friend to share, it seems, is truly drawing to a close.